Written by: Arthur Crudup
Recorded: 2 July 1963
Released: 30 November 1994 (UK), 5 December 1994 (US)
Available on: Live At The BBC
Personnel:
- Paul McCartney: vocals, bass
- John Lennon: rhythm guitar
- George Harrison: lead guitar
- Ringo Starr: drums
The Beatles performed ‘That’s All Right (Mama)’ on the fifth episode of the Pop Go The Beatles radio show. This song, originally Elvis Presley’s debut single, was recorded on July 2, 1963, and first aired on July 16. The recording took place at Maida Vale Studios in London, and during the same session, The Beatles also performed ‘There’s A Place,’ ‘Carol,’ ‘Soldier Of Love,’ ‘Lend Me Your Comb,’ ‘Clarabella,’ ‘Three Cool Cats,’ ‘Sweet Little Sixteen,’ and ‘Ask Me Why.’
‘That’s All Right (Mama)’ was originally written and performed by the blues singer Arthur ‘Big Boy’ Crudup. Elvis Presley’s version was recorded on July 5, 1954, and released by Sun Records in Memphis on July 19.
Interestingly, The Beatles never recorded any of Presley’s songs at EMI’s Abbey Road Studios. It’s likely that they wanted to distance themselves from Presley after becoming famous to establish their own unique identity. Nevertheless, the BBC sessions provided them with an opportunity to perform several cover versions they wouldn’t have otherwise done. The BBC rendition of the song remains mostly faithful to Presley’s original, with the addition of a guitar solo by George Harrison, who skillfully imitated Scotty Moore.
Paul McCartney fondly reminisced about Elvis, particularly his early years in 1956 when he was young, charismatic, and had a charming sense of humor along with his remarkable voice. McCartney praised Elvis as an incredible vocalist and an enduring figure in the music industry.
Although The Beatles performed nearly 30 of Presley’s songs between 1957 and 1962, they only recorded three of them. These three recordings, including ‘That’s All Right (Mama),’ can be found in the ‘Live At The BBC’ collection, along with ‘I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry (Over You)’ and ‘I Forgot To Remember To Forget.’
In 1987, Paul McCartney recorded a solo version of ‘That’s All Right (Mama),’ which was subsequently released the following year on ‘Choba B CCCP.’
Lyrics
Well that’s all right mama
That’s all right with you
Yeh that’s all right mama
Just anyway you do
That’s all right
That’s all right
That’s all right now mama
Anyway you do
Well mama she done told me
Papa done told me too
Said son, that gal you’re fooling with
She ain’t no girl for you
That’s all right
That’s all right
That’s all right now mama
Anyway you do
Whoa!
I’m leaving town baby
I’m leaving town for sure
Then you won’t be bothered with me
Hanging round your door
That’s all right
That’s all right
Yeah that’s all right now mama
Anyway you do
Well that’s all right mama
Yeah that’s all right with you
That’s all right mama
Just anyway you do
That’s all right
That’s all right
That’s all right now mama
Anyway you do
Da da, dee dee dee dee dee
Da da, dee dee dee dee
Da da, dee dee dee
I need your loving
That’s all right
Well that’s all right now mama
Anyway you do
Yeah that’s all right now mama
Anyway you do